Mayo LGFA club to develop facilities in honour of murdered Garda
In 2015, Garda Anthony Golden was shot dead while on duty, responding to a domestic violence call. Golden was originally from Ballina. And now, local LGFA club Kilmoremoy will develop new facilities and name them in his honour.
Just a short distance from where Garda Anthony Golden grew up in Culleens, a remarkable vision is becoming a reality. Born from an extraordinary act of courage and carried forward by a determined community, Anthony Golden Park promises a lasting home for generations of young girls in Ballina and the surrounding areas— and a welcoming place for the wider community to enjoy.
Anthony lost his life in 2015 while intervening to protect a woman during a domestic violence incident. His courage and selflessness touched people far beyond his home town. That a park bearing his name will stand so close to where he grew up makes this tribute especially meaningful: a place filled with the friendship, opportunity and energy of young people, and a shared space for neighbours and families.
Following his death, eight people came together to honour Anthony in a lasting way. They raised substantial funds towards purchasing land for a park in his memory, supported by the generosity of the wider community. Those original members were Clair Cooke, Fr Kieran Holmes, Liam Kiely, Declan Cafferkey, Vincent Furey, Peter Dooley, Michael O’Malley, Fiona Farrell and Michael O’Malley. Their determination laid the foundations for everything that followed.
At the same time, Kilmoremoy LGFC was seeking a permanent home of its own. The two ambitions came together naturally.
The land is owned by Kilmoremoy AGP CLG, the company leading the development in partnership with Kilmoremoy LGFC.
With approximately 420 female playing members, Kilmoremoy LGFC is the largest ladies’ football club in Mayo. Despite that remarkable growth, the club has never had a permanent home ground of its own. Anthony Golden Park will give its players something they have worked towards for years: a place to belong, develop and take pride in calling their own.
The talent is already evident. This year the senior team narrowly missed out on the county junior title, while the minors came agonisingly close to a Division One title.
But the project is about more than winning matches. It is about a young girl arriving for her first training session and feeling welcome.
On the approximately seven-acre site behind Culleens National School on the Killala Road, planning permission has been granted for a full-size floodlit pitch, changing facilities, a spectator stand, an all-weather Astro turf pitch, a playground and a multi-purpose track. Outdoor gym equipment is also part of the wider vision. Together, these facilities can create an active, welcoming space used well beyond match days.
Crucially, the land has been secured and Mayo County Council granted planning permission — major milestones achieved through voluntary effort.
Local businesses, families, former players and supporters now have an opportunity to become part of the next chapter, whether through sponsorship, practical assistance or encouragement. Supporting Anthony Golden Park means investing in young people, community life and a legacy that will endure.
Speaking about the project, Kilmoremoy AGP CLG chairperson Fergal Mulligan said: “What makes this project special is the people behind it. We’re fortunate to have fantastic volunteers across both Kilmoremoy AGP CLG and Kilmoremoy LGFC who have put an enormous amount of time and effort into getting us this far. When you see the talent coming through the club, you realise just how much these girls deserve a place of their own. We have an opportunity to build something really special here, something that will make Ballina proud for generations.”
Anthony Golden Park will carry one man’s name, but its legacy will belong to an entire community.